Hidden Villa Ramble

A warm and sunny day set the stage for a scenic and eventful hike with my Foothill College class that included two rattlesnakes, a horned lizard, lots of wildflowers, and some great views.

After carpooling from the Foothill College parking lot #1, we assembled at the big parking lot at Hidden Villa at 10 AM. We then toured the organic garden, watched the chickens, pigs, goats, cows, and sheep, and visited the Duveneck home before charging uphill on the Long Bunny Loop trail. It was on this trail that Victor first spotted a rattlesnake, who warned us in no uncertain terms that we were not to come any closer. 

We obeyed. 

We then paused for lunch at two picnic tables beside Adobe Creek before heading uphill on the Creek Trail and Ewing Hill Trail to the Black Mountain Trail in Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve. It was along this stretch of trail that some of the group encountered another rattlesnake that was too close to the trail for comfort. Fortunately, rattlesnakes are not aggressive creatures. They just want to be left alone to find a nice juicy rodent to eat. This one slithered away to a safe distance. Just before the Black Mountain Trail we stopped at an overlook to appreciate a spectacular view of much of the South Bay Area.

From the Black Mountain Trail we enjoyed lots of beautiful wildflowers before turning left and eastward on the Hostel Trail

. It was along this trail that I nearly stepped on a horned lizard. The creature was so well camouflaged  that I didn't see it. Fortunately, Victor did see it. See the photo I took after it scurried off the trail. We continued downhill on the Hostel Trail and back to the parking lot. 

Among the wildflowers we saw were buttercups, Solomon's seal, woodland star, clematis, elegant clarkia,  mule ear, indian paintbrush, hounds tongue, sticky monkeyflower, larkspur, linanthus, globe lilly, star flower, and blue witch.

Hidden Villa is owned by the private non-profit Trust for Hidden Villa. It is open to the public from Tuesday through Sunday from 9 AM until sunset. It is closed to the general public during summer when summer camp is in session.

TO GET THERE... from Highway 280 in Los Altos, take the El Monte/Moody Road exit at Foothill College  and travel west on Moody Road 2.5 miles to Hidden Villa. Look for the "AYH" sign.